HP Releasing Windows 8 Atom-Based Tablet Too
HP has chosen Intel's platform to create a Windows 8 tablet because it's not clear when Windows on ARM will be released.
Following news that HP hopes to have Windows-8 based PCs out the door by the end of the year, HP CEO Meg Whitman said during a Wall Street Journal conference in Menlo Park, California that the company also plans to release a Windows 8 tablet in the same year-end timeframe.
According to Whitman, HP chose Intel's Atom-based solution over chips based on ARM because it's "not clear" when Windows on ARM will actually be released. Microsoft has indicated that it's pushing to launch the non-x86/64 version in the same timeframe, but apparently there's enough doubt to convince HP into using an Atom SoC instead.
Wednesday during HP's earnings conference call, Whitman made no mention of producing a Windows on ARM tablet by the end of the year, and now we know why. She also indicated that the company would be prepared for a possible Windows 8 (x86/64) launch delay, but hoped to see the new OS appear on store shelves before the 2012 holiday season begins.
"The better Windows 8 is, the better off we are," she said during the call. "So, we're rooting for a fantastic Windows 8 product that's delivered on time that we can get to market before the holiday season," she said during the call.
If Windows 8 does get delayed (and we're not saying it will), HP could very well release compatible desktops and laptops by the end of the year anyway along with a voucher to upgrade to the new OS when it finally goes retail. Tablets would likely be stalled until the new OS is released however, thwarting HP's pre-2012 Holiday Season launch, depending on how long the possible delay ensues.
In addition to talking about Windows 8 tablets, Whitman on Friday said the company is currently investing in developing talented executives. It's also focusing on organic growth and getting back to the company's original principles -- what it calls "The HP Way." She also said HP would hire the next CEO from within instead of luring outside parties.
“I will not feel like I’ve done a good job if my successor is not an internal choice,” Whitman said.
All depends on the price point. and what the tablet is used for.
A cheap tabled to check emails or a map on the go may just work.
another wave of bribes
I'm not saying it'll blow ARM out of the water, nor am i trying to be a fanboy, i'm just saying, give it a chance. Competition is good, after all, and Intel can't demand the same prices when it's the one competing.
when windows 8 shows up all of the major manufactures will move over to support microsoft due to higher profit margins and that'll force retail to promote windows 8 and push it over android
this will affect smartphones as well imo
CM7 is about 2gigs.
webos 3 is about 3.5 gigs
Will MS have a lite version of win8 for tablets?
Initially a lack of device drivers and software compatibility. It'll be interesting to see how important this is:
Windows 8 and x86:
If I had to choose a tablet or transforming netbook/tablet, I think I'd rather go this way.
x86 (AMD APU vs Intel Atom):
The AMD APU has the best performance vs power. Keep in mind there are different versions of the APU so the lower end may still be underpowered for some and a high-end Atom may even be more powerful than a low-end APU.
*Only some of the newest APU's (and all future) support the full Fusion architecture that will be optimized in future software. Having said that, the current APU's are great and we're always hearing how great software "will" run on the hardware (I've been hearing about this since "transcoding" on my HD3870 graphics card and I'm still waiting).
**AMD APU's all support the new OpenCL initiative which hopefully which should start seeing support in 2013. OpenCL is basically about creating software that can utilize BOTH the graphics AND the CPU element at the same time. Again, only the newest (and future) APU's can make the most use of this (when supported) however all APU's support this so it will make the device more powerful for supported applications in the future whereas the Intel Atom does not support this.
Is that full Windows 8, or the Metro portion only?
The 11gig is based on 64bit install.